Cowboys Victorious In Tourney Opener

A two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth inning propelled Oklahoma State to a 4-1 win over Rutgers in the opening round of the TD Ameritrade Classic Friday at TD Ameritrade Park.

With the win, the 24th-ranked Cowboys improved to 29-11 on the season, while Rutgers fell to 20-20.

Mark Robinette picked up the win on the mound to improve to 4-0 as the junior right-hander worked six scoreless innings and tied a career-high with seven strikeouts.

The Cowboys managed just two hits over the game's first five innings against Rutgers starter Rob Smorol (4-4), but the bats came to life in the sixth.

Donnie Walton got things started in the pivotal inning with a one-out single, and following a strikeout of Saulyer Saxon, the Cowboys sent pinch hitter Rick Stover to the plate. Stover worked the count full, then drew a walk on the eighth pitch of the at bat.

Stover's effort keyed the big inning as Tanner Krietemeier followed with an RBI single to put OSU up, 1-0. After a walk to Randy McCurry loaded the bases, Zach Fish brought home a pair of runs with a single as Krietemeier made a nifty slide to avoid the tag of Rutgers catcher Jeff Melillo and plate the Cowboys' third run.

The Cowboys' third two-out single of the inning came off the bat of Robbie Rea and gave OSU a 4-0 advantage.

OSU's rally allowed Robinette to earn his third win in his last four starts. He gave up five hits and three walks but was able to pitch out of jams throughout as he left nine runners stranded on the base paths in his six innings of work.

The Cowboys used three pitchers one inning each to close out the game, with Rutgers managing its only run in the ninth off Vince Wheeland, a score that was unearned.

OSU finished with nine hits, with Krietemeier and Rea collecting two apiece, while Nick Favatella led the Scarlet Knights with a 3-for-5 day at the plate.

The Cowboys return to action Saturday when they face Nebraska in a doubleheader beginning at 11:05 a.m.